An accountability court in Islamabad on Monday postponed its verdict in the £190 million reference against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan and his spouse, Bushra Bibi.

The court had reserved the verdict on December 18, saying that it would be announced on December 23 (today).

During the hearing today, Nasir Javed Rana informed the defendants; counsel that the verdict will not be delivered today due to the winter vacations - from December 24 to December 31.

“There is also a course at the high court,” the judge said, adding that the next hearing date would be announced soon.

Later, the court staff confirmed that the judgment would be announced on January 6, 2025.

Background

NAB launched an inquiry into the Al-Qadir University Trust case - now called the £190 million reference - in March 2023, before turning it into an investigation on April 28.

According to NAB, Imran and his wife obtained billions of rupees and land measuring hundreds of kanals from Malik Riaz of Bahria Town in return for Rs 50 billion that was paid as a settlement with the National Crime Agency (NCA) of the UK and the same was adjusted instead of a fine imposed on him by the Supreme Court.

The couple was indicted on February 27, following a trial that lasted one year and involved the recording of statements from 35 witnesses by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). PTI lawyers cross-examined these witnesses.

Key witnesses included former Principal Secretary Azam Khan, former Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, and former Federal Minister Zubaida Jalal.

Other defendants in the case are Farhat Shehzadi alias Farah Gogi; Shehzad Akbar, former special assistant to the prime minister on accountability and former chairman of Asset Recovery Unit (ARU); Malik Riaz Hussain, chief executive officer (CEO) of Bahria Town Private Limited, Ziaul Mustafa Nasim, former expert on international criminal law ARU, Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari, former trustee of Al Qadir Trust, and Ahmed Ali Riaz.